This calculator is for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not replace the judgment of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist who knows the full clinical picture.
What the SLEDAI-2K measures
Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, blood, nervous system and serous membranes. The SLEDAI-2K (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000) turns this variety into one activity score, based on 24 features present in the last 10 days.
How it is scored
Each feature has a fixed weight; the score is the sum of the weights of the features present, from 0 to 105.
| Weight | Features |
|---|---|
| 8 | Seizure, psychosis, organic brain syndrome, visual disturbance, cranial nerve disorder, lupus headache, stroke, vasculitis |
| 4 | Arthritis, myositis, urinary casts, hematuria, proteinuria, pyuria |
| 2 | Rash, alopecia, mucosal ulcers, pleurisy, pericarditis, low complement, increased anti-DNA binding |
| 1 | Fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia |
The 2000 version counts persistent rash, alopecia, mucosal ulcers and proteinuria, not only new or recurrent ones as in the original SLEDAI.
Example
A patient with arthritis (4), an inflammatory rash (2), low complement (2) and raised anti-DNA antibodies (2) scores 10: moderate activity.
| SLEDAI-2K | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0 | None |
| 1 to 5 | Mild |
| 6 to 10 | Moderate |
| 11 to 19 | High |
| 20 or more | Very high |
Following the disease
A rise of more than 3 points between visits is a common definition of a flare, and a fall of 4 points or more a meaningful improvement. Enter the previous score to see the change.
Limits
- Features must be attributable to lupus activity, not to infection, drugs or another disease.
- The weights are fixed: severe hemolytic anemia or a major worsening of proteinuria is not captured in proportion to its gravity.
- Serological features (complement, anti-DNA) can keep the score positive in a clinically quiet patient; some trials report a “clinical SLEDAI” without them.
Other tools, such as the BILAG index and the physician global assessment, complement the SLEDAI-2K in clinical trials.